Wheel spinning machine



Dec. 27, 1955 e. T. HEMMETER 2,728,236

WHEEL SPINNING MACHINE Filed Oct. 24, 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet l I N V ENTOR. iOfi 7. HIM/Vi??? Dec. 27, 1955 e. 'r. HEMMETER WHEEL SPINNINGMACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 24, 1952 FIG 4 INVENTOR. 6:006! 7:flinnzrip ATTOP/VI) D 27. 1955 s. 1-. HEMMETER WHEEL SPINNING MACHINE 3Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Oct. 24, 1952 m kl.

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United States Patent WHEEL SPINNING MACHINE George T. Hemmeter, LosAltos, Calif.

Application October 24, 1952, Serial No. 316,675

Claims. (Cl. 74-16) My invention relates to mechanisms primarily for usein bringing rotary bodies up to a rotational speed suitable for testingthe balance or unbalance of such bodies and is especially concerned witha device engageable with an automobile tire, for example, to bring thetire and its attendant rotary mechanism up to balancing speed. Thepresent structure is intended for use in connection with the WheelBalancer disclosed in my co-pending application filed August 28, 1952with Serial No. 306,991. In that application there is shown a device ofa circular disc configuration adapted to be temporarily secured to ajacked up vehicle wheel to indicate the position and amount ofcounterbalancing weight to be applied to the wheel to balance it withinvery close limits. The balancing operation requires that the wheel berotated or spun at a relatively high speed. It is helpful to have adevice for serving as a storage mechanism for the balancer itself whennot in use and for carrying conveniently a supply of the necessarybalancing weights.

It is therefore an object of my invention to provide a wheel spinningmachine which will cooperate with my mentioned wheel balancer to providea utilitarian article assisting in the balancing operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide a wheel spinning machinethat can be operated by a user from the position he occupies duringbalancing of a wheel and without interfering with his free use of hishands in the balancing operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide a wheel spinning machinethat can be powered and braked by remote control, especially footcontrol.

A further object of the invention is to provide a wheel spinning machinethat can be folded compactly for storage.

Another object of my invention is to provide an improved wheel spinningmachine.

A further object of my invention is to provide a wheel spinning machineeffective to transfer substantial torque to the wheel being spun bymeans of friction and without dislodging the spinning machine from itstemporary location.

Another object of my invention is to provide a wheelv spinning machinehaving a means for controlling the speed of operation of the wheel.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a wheel spinningmachine which is readily portable and easily operable for spinningwheels on the left hand side and on the right hand side of the vehicle.

Other objects of the invention together with the foregoing are attainedin the embodiment of the invention described in the accompanyingdescription and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in whichFigure 1 is a cross-section on a vertical median plane through oneembodiment of the wheel spinning machine of my invention, parts beingbroken away to reduce the size of the figure and the plane of sectionbeing indicated by the line 11 of Figure 3.

Figure 2 is an enlarged detail of the handle and frame junction.

Figure 3 is a plan of the wheel spinning machine of my invention,portions being broken away to reduce the size of the figure and part ofthe frame being broken away to show the motor mounting.

Figure 4 is an end elevation of the device, a part of the operatinghandle being broken away.

Figure 5 is an enlarged cross-section similar to Figure l, the plane ofsection being on the line 5-5 of Figure 3.

Figure 6 is a partial plan similar to Figure 3 but showing a modifiedform of the spinning machine.

The wheel spinning machine is ordinarily utilized in a garage or similarenvironment having a floor 6 or ground on which a vehicle stands with avehicle wheel 7 supported on a jack at some distance above the floor sothat the wheel is freely rotatable and out of contact with the floor.The wheel spinning machine itself is primarily a portable device for usein connection with the wheel 7, which represents a wheel on either sideof the vehicle and either forwardly or rearwardly thereof.

The spinning machine includes a main frame 8, preferably a suitablecontoured casting of metal having a forward portion 9 of box-likeconfiguration and a rearward portion 11 which is substantially asemi-circular ring. The frame 8 is provided with a support including apair of forward feet 12 and 13 and a rearward foot 14, all of the feetpreferably being covered with friction jackets 16 for good adhesion tothe floor 6. The forward feet 12 and 13 are disposed on opposite sidesof the frame so that they lie to either side of the wheel 7 and directlybelow an overhanging part of the wheel.

When the frame is resting on the supports 12, 13 and 14 it is level andstable with respect to the floor 6 but to render the framework portableI provide a pair of ground engaging wheels 17 and 18 within the forwardportion 9 and at elevation slightly above the forward feet 12 and 13.Preferably the wheels are rubber tired and are journalled on a throughaxle 19 mounted in the sides of the frames and secured by removable nuts21. The disposition of the wheels is such that when the framework 8 istipped upwardly from the rear, the supports 12, 13 and 14 are raisedfrom the floor and a substantial portion of the spinner weight istransferred to the two forward wheels 17 and 18 for ready portability,and remaining part of the weight being borne by a guiding handle 22.

This handle is conveniently a tube reduced at its lower end to passthrough a boss 23 included in the frame 8. A snap ring 24 at the lowerend of the tube holds the handle in position at one end and a shoulder26 at the other side of the boss locates the handle on the upper face ofthe frame 8. The lower part of the handle is contacted by a detent ball28 pressed into position by a spring 29 located in a cap 31 screwed intothe boss 23. A pair of depressions 32 in the handle are formed by adiametrical bore 33 and tend to centralize the handle 22 either in itsrearward operating position as shown in full lines in Figure l, or in aforward inoperative or storage position, as shown by broken lines inFigure 1. The handle 22 at its upper end is provided with a grip portion33 and intermediate its ends is supplied with hooks 34 and 36 on whichconducting cable 37 is reeled when not in use. The cable is providedwith the customary connection 38 and is brought alongside the handle 22and is introduced through an insulator 39 into the semi-circular ringportion 11 of the frame.

To serve "as a means for rotating the wheel 7 I provide within thebox-like portion 9 of the frame 8 an electric motor 41 having thecustomary motor shaft 42 journalled therein and having a pair of ears 43and 44 formed on its housing for hinge engagement with the axle 19. Theengagement of the cars 43 and 44 with the axle is for free-rotationofthe motor as a body about the axle as a Pi t and i apath or directinhavinaa compensates!!- erally upward toward the tire 7. Suitable stops45 and 46 are disposed on the axle so that endwise motion of the motorin'both directions is precluded.

Mounted on the shaft 42 of the motor is a friction drum 47 or drivingpulley of a diameter such that it can-be contained within the envelopeof the box-like portion -9 of the frame 8, but which is also movable toan opening 48 in the frame 8 toward the wheel 7 and into closely pressedengagement or driving relationship with the-wheel. The friction drum 47is preferably of small mass so that it assumes driving speed rapidly.:lt normally is located substantially on or near the center line of theframe.

Additionally to support the motor 41,and the friction drum 47 inposition and for movement in the mentioned path, there is provided asupporting leaf spring 51 at one end fastened by suitable securing means52 to the bottom portion of the frame 8. The spring 51 is looped aroundthe axle 19 and is extended from the axle so that a portion 53 liesbeneath and is in contact with the frame-of the motor 41 to serve as acradle and a yielding support therefor. The spring terminates in a loop54 around a pin '56 in the lower end of a universal link mechanism 57effective to connect the end of the spring to the armature 53 of anelectromagnet S9 or solenoid.

The position of the solenoid 59 in the frame-8 is established byfastenings 61 in the box-like portion 9 of the frame and in such alocation that when the solenoid is energized and its armature 58 islifted, as shown by the arrow 62 in Figure 5, it lifts the cradleportion 53 of the spring to move the motor -31 in an upward, arcuatepath about the axle shaft '19 and into yielding contact with the wheel7. The reaction due to lifting the motor into tire contact is taken-in adownward direction and for the most part on the two forward feet 12 and13. The nature of the force exerted by the spring, and by the energizedsolenoid 59 assisting the spring, is yielding so that irregularities inthe circumference of the wheel '7 or vibratory movement due to unbalanceare yieldingly met by slight motion of the motor and friction drum.Nevertheless a tight enough frictional engagement is had between thedrum and=the tire so that substantial driving torque is transmitted. Oneof the reasons for the upward direction of engagement is that thereaction on the supporting mechanism is largely downwardly or has acomponent which is generally downward in the immediate vicinity of theforwardsupports 12 and 13 so that they are thrust with more than usualforce against the floor 6 to avoid slipping of the frame.

Preferably the solenoid 59 and the motor 41 are energized simultaneouslyby means of appropriate conductors 71 which extend from the conductor 37and pass through a switch 72 (Figure 3') of any convenient type formanual or pedal operation and disposed at the end of the flexible cord73. The switch 72 can thus be remotely located with respect to the frame8 andcan be situated on the fiooron the left side or right side of theunit for ready operation. When the switch '72is closed, the solenoid 59and the motor 41 are simultaneously energized so that the motor, as itspeeds up, is displaced so that the friction drum 47 contacts with thewheel to be balanced and rotates the wheel at balancing speed, asindicated by the broken lines in Figure 5.

When the switch 72 is opened, the solenoid 59 and the motor 41 aretie-energized and the motor coasts. The driving pulley or friction drumbreaks contact with the wheel and drops from its projected positionadjacent the wheel being balanced and falls to inactive position, asshown by the full lines in Figure 5, with the weight of the motorresting largely on the lower strap 51. The free spinning vehicular wheelisthen available for bal ancing without hindrance from external drivingforces. The motor may be re-energized at any time irrespective ofwhether thedriving wheel is in motion.

Aftercompletion of thebalancing operation, the wheel may be brought to aquick stop by means ofa brake PEQYiQQ for 18 .32%?! sa ins health; .29?tion 9 of the frame is a brake ft 76 mounted in upstanding lugs 77 and78 forming part of the frame. Between its ends the brake shaft carries ablade 81 to lie alongside the projected portion of the friction drum 47.The blade is moved between active and inactive positions by either oneof a pair of crank handles 82 and 83 disposed adjacent the sides of theframe for left hand or right hand'operation.

The brake blade-81, when applied, alsobas a reaction component which isdownwardly so that extra force is imposedupon the forward supports 12and 13. While some extra load is imposed upon the rearward support 14,it is important that the forward ones are located substantially beneaththe Wheel 7 so that they are firmly urged to guard against slippingaction against the floor 6, both in driving and in braking. The brakeblade is held in the off position by a torsion coil spring 85. The

brake operating handles are conveniently located for operation by theuser without'his leaving his position required to operate the balancingmechanism.

As a matter of convenience in the balancing operation, the ring portion11 of the frame is designed to receive a receptacle 36 divided into anumber of compartments 87 and 33 to storebalancing weights of differentconfigurations and mass. The tray or structure 86 is preferably aseparate item which is fastened to the main frame 8 by screws 89 and isreferred'to generally as part of the frame. Also, the frame 11 is formedwith a number of upstanding centering lugs 91 to serve as guides for thestorage support of a wheel balancer of the sort referred to in myco-pending application and indicated by the dotted line 92 in Figure 1.Thus, the balancing mechanism serves as a cover for the tray 86 when itis not in use and therefore is conveniently located and stored.

It is sometimes necessary to provide more power than is normallyavailable in the motor 41 in spinning of heavy tires such as truck tiresor wheels having abnormal drag. In that instance I do not generallymodify the structure to any great extent except preferably, as shown inFigure 6, provide duplicate motors 41 and 93 disposed coaxially onsimilar mountings and with similar solenoids 59 and 94. These areenergized by a single switch 72 and are provided with a pair of frictiondrums 96 and 97 disposed side by side as closely as possible andsimultaneously projectable through the opening 98 in the frame 99. Adisconnect switch is placed in the circuit of one motor and solenoid topermit operation with either one or two driving motors in operationsubject to the choice of the operator. Otherwise the struc ture is thesame as previously described but the two friction wheels each beingdriven by a motor, transmit a substantially increased torque.

I claim:

'1. A wheel spinning .machine comprising a frame, means for supportingsaid frame on the floor adjacent a wheel to be spun, an electric drivingmotor having a shaft, means for mounting said driving motor on saidframe for lifting movement toward and lowering movement away from saidwheel, a friction drum mounted on said shaft, an electric solenoidhaving an armature, means for mounting said solenoid on said frame forlifting and'lowering movement of said armature, means for connectingsaid solenoid when energized to lift said armature and said motor andsaid friction drum toward and into pressure contactwith said wheelwhereby ,reaction forces are transmitted through said supporting meansto said floor, and a switch for simultaneously energizing .saidmotor andsaid solenoid. p

2- A w e spinn n m h m r si rame means for supporting said frameadjacent "a wheel to .be spun, said framehaving an opening thereinadjacent to said wheel, a friction drum, meanson saidframefor mountingsaid friction drum for lifting movement from a first position insidesaid frame into a second position with said drum engaging sai wheelthrough said opening, a solenoid efiective when energized yieldingly tolift said mounting means toward said second position, an electric motorfor driving said drum, and means for simultaneously energizing saidmotor and said solenoid.

3. A wheel spinning machine comprising a frame, means for supportingsaid frame upon the ground adjacent a wheel to be spun, said framehaving an opening therein adiacent said wheel, an electric motor havinga shaft, a hinge mount for said motor on said frame, a friction drum onsaid motor shaft, a solenoid effective when energized to move said hingemount with an upward component from a first position with said frictiondrum inside said frame into a second position with said friction drumengaging and pressing upwardly upon said wheel through said opening, anda switch independent of the position of said hinge mount forsimultaneously energizing said motor and said solenoid.

4. A wheel spinning machine comprising a frame, means for supportingsaid frame adjacent a wheel to be spun, at least part of said supportmeans being at either side of and beneath said wheel, a friction drum,means for mounting said friction drum on said frame for movement with anupward component toward said support means, electromagnetic means for somoving said friction drum to press yieldingly against said Wheel withthe re- 6 action of said pressure against said support means, electricmeans for driving said friction drum, and means independent of theposition of said drum for simultaneously energizing said electromagneticmeans and said electric means.

5. A Wheel spinning machine comprising a frame having an opening in theupper portion thereof, feet on said frame for supporting said frame uponthe floor, means forming a cradle beneath said opening, means forpivotally supporting one end of said cradle upon said frame, a solenoidincluding an armature, means for supporting said solenoid upon saidframe for movement of said armature in a vertical direction, means forsupporting the other end of said cradle upon said armature, an electricmotor supported on said cradle and having a shaft, a friction drum onsaid shaft and movable to project through said opening, and a switchoperable independently of the position of said motor and drum forsimultaneously energizing said motor and said solenoid.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,184,866 Nikonow May 30, 1916 2,075,865 Phillips Apr. 6, 1937 2,341,444Hunter, Jr. Feb. 8, 1944 2,557,867 Forster June 19, 1951 2,565,233Hunter Aug. 21, 1951

